Three years.
That was the limitation of Fushi Tensei — the Living Corpse Reincarnation Technique.
The constraint did not mean that a vessel could only survive for three years. Rather, once Orochimaru transferred his consciousness into a new body, he was unable to perform another transfer for a minimum period of approximately three years.
Whether this restriction stemmed from spiritual stabilization, chakra assimilation, or the incomplete fusion between host body and invading consciousness, even Orochimaru himself had never publicly clarified.
What was certain was this:
Three years was the shortest interval between reincarnations.
Not the maximum lifespan of a vessel.
If the body proved compatible
If rejection did not accelerate
If external damage was absent
A vessel could theoretically be maintained far longer.
But now
An exception had occurred.
The damage inflicted by the Dead Demon Consuming Seal (Shiki Fūjin) was far more insidious than simple paralysis.
At first, the loss appeared localized: his arms rendered unusable, the spiritual connection severed.
However, as months passed, Orochimaru began to sense something deeper.
The sealing did not merely remove function.
It corroded.
The spiritual severance at his arms created instability in the chakra network throughout his body. The incomplete flow gradually eroded the host vessel's internal integrity.
The degradation was subtle but progressive.
If the corrosion spread beyond containment, the vessel would collapse entirely.
And if that collapse occurred before transfer
Orochimaru's consciousness would perish with it.
This was why, upon obtaining Menma's theoretical framework regarding the structure of the Shiki Fūjin and its potential loopholes, Orochimaru had shown genuine exhilaration. That was why he had even been willing to lower himself and seek Tsunade's cooperation.
It was never merely about regaining the use of his arms.
It was about survival.
Unfortunately, Tsunade refused him.
And Menma's proposed method, though intriguing, had not undergone controlled validation. Without complete data and without access to the sealed Shinigami construct itself, Orochimaru could not act on theory alone.
Thus, only one immediate solution remained.
Replace the vessel.
If predictions held true, a new body would temporarily escape the corrosive spread of the Shiki Fūjin's residual spiritual damage. Even the severed arms manifested through a new host would function again.
But that restoration would be temporary.
Because the true fragments of Orochimaru's soul the portions consumed by the Shinigamiremained sealed within the Death God's stomach.
Those could not be reclaimed through ordinary reincarnation.
Eventually
He would still need Menma's solution.
But for now
Survival required Fushi Tensei.
"Now?" Kabuto asked quietly.
His tone was measured, but the calculation behind his glasses was unmistakable.
"Uchiha Sasuke should arrive within two or three days. If Menma-kun has been dispatched to ensure the transfer, the interception probability is minimal."
Kabuto understood Orochimaru's obsession better than anyone.
The Sharingan.
An authentic Uchiha vessel.
Years of preparation.
Was he truly willing to relinquish that opportunity if only temporarily?
Orochimaru exhaled slowly.
"Kabuto… do you believe this body can endure another two days?"
His voice was faint, breath thin.
"If not for the necessity of avoiding Menma's direct sensory scrutiny, I would have initiated transfer earlier."
His golden eyes narrowed.
"The corrosion progresses faster than anticipated… cough."
This was perhaps the most vulnerable state Orochimaru had experienced since his defection from Konoha.
Even his encounter with Uchiha Itachi had not left him this internally destabilized.
"Yes, Orochimaru-sama," Kabuto replied immediately. "I will prepare the ritual chamber."
He did not argue further.
Orochimaru's word was final.
After bowing, Kabuto turned and departed to finalize the sealing array required for the reincarnation ceremony.
Alone in the dim chamber, Orochimaru's expression shifted.
"Sharingan…"
His pupils contracted slightly.
"Not yet."
But his voice hardened.
"One day, Itachi-kun… Sasuke-kun… your eyes will belong to me."
The obsession flickered like venom beneath his composure.
At that same time
The pursuit across the Land of Fire intensified.
Due to layered interference from Konoha patrol units, the Sound Four's originally calculated route had been extended significantly. What should have been less than two days' travel under optimal conditions had grown by nearly one-third.
On multiple occasions, forward scouts encountered localized resistance.
Minor clashes erupted.
Several stationed Konoha genin suffered casualties attempting to delay them.
These were not decisive engagements.
But they bought time.
And time was everything.
After slightly more than a day of relentless pursuit—
Naruto's squad finally closed visual distance.
"There they are!"
Through the forest canopy ahead, the figures became clear.
Four Otogakure shinobi moving at high speed.
A massive cylindrical container strapped to one of their backs.
"Sasuke!"
Naruto's voice exploded across the clearing.
"Bring him back!"
As he accelerated, a powerful surge of chakra erupted from his body
far exceeding standard genin reserves. Though not yet consciously drawing on the Nine-Tails' chakra, his natural reserves alone rivaled elite chūnin.
The disturbance was unmistakable.
The Sound Four reacted immediately.
"Tch. More pursuers," Tayuya muttered, glancing over her shoulder.
Her eyes scanned the approaching formation.
Genin.
Multiple signatures.
"Hmph. Annoying insects."
Under normal conditions, each member of the Sound Four already operated at high chūnin to special jōnin combat capability. Upon activating the first state of their Cursed Seals, their chakra density and physical output increased drastically. The second state elevated them further approaching full jōnin-level threat.
They did not consider Naruto's squad equal.
"End this quickly," Tayuya said coldly.
But Sakon, currently acting as field commander in Kimimaro's absence, shook his head.
"No."
His tone was sharp.
"We've already lost time. Orochimaru-sama must not be kept waiting."
He evaluated rapidly.
"Jirōbō. Kidōmaru. You two stay and intercept."
"Tayuya and I will proceed with Sasuke-sama."
"Delay only. Do not overcommit."
The others nodded.
Without protest.
Kidōmaru's tongue brushed his lips in a serpentine gesture reminiscent of Orochimaru himself.
"Heh. Just brats."
Jirōbō grunted in agreement and shifted the barrel from his back, transferring it carefully to Sakon.
The moment Sakon and Tayuya accelerated forward
"Buzz"
"Boom!"
Jirōbō and Kidōmaru activated the first state of their Cursed Seals without hesitation.
Dark markings spread across their skin, chakra pressure spiking sharply.
They pivoted mid-motion
And launched directly toward Naruto's squad.
The forest trembled.
The retrieval battle
Had begun.